Henry Sanders (priest)

Henry Sanders was an English Roman Catholic priest executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for his Catholic faith. Details of his life are scarce, but he is primarily remembered as a Catholic martyr.

Sanders was ordained a priest and, in a period when Catholic priests were outlawed in England, he traveled to the country to minister to the Catholic population. He was apprehended, likely for performing his priestly duties, such as celebrating Mass or hearing confessions.

He was found guilty of treason, a common charge levelled against Catholic priests during that period, based on the premise that their allegiance to the Pope superseded their allegiance to the Queen.

Henry Sanders was executed on October 1, 1588, at Gloucester. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered, the standard punishment for treason. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987, recognizing him as one of the Eighty-Five Martyrs of England and Wales. His feast day is celebrated on October 1st.